Method and apparatus for filling portable tanks



Nov. 21, 1944. J, a HAFFNER L 2,363,177

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING PORTABLE TANKS Filed sept. 5, 1940 Patented Nov. 2l, 1944 AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon FILLING Pon'rALE TANKS .Ioseph B. Haffner, Buffalo, N. Y.; Mary E. Hay ner administratrix of said Joseph B. Banner,

deceased Application september` 5, 1940, serial No. 355,447

18 Claims.

This invention relates Ato improvements in methods and apparatus for lling containers.

\ dinarily discharged to the atmosphere during the lling of the container. The escape of this vapor also entails loss of the volatilized liquid containedl therein. in the iilling 'of containers ofl this kind, it is also very desirable that the container be provided with means for lling the same accurately to a predetermined level which must be somewhat below the top of the tank to permit expansion toA take place., Considerable risk is incurred byl lling containers above the desired liquid level therein, since the liquid may expand due to heat.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for use in lling containers with volatile liquids, which minimizes the danger of explosions when filling the container and simultaneously avoids overloading of the container. Another object is to provide a method and apparatus by means of which the vapors or gases in the container, which are displaced by the liquid entering the container are With-f drawn and by means of which any liquid in excess of the quantity desired in the container is also removed therefrom, to insure that the container will contain the correct amount of liquid.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method by. means of which suction is Vapplied to the container to be filled during the filling of the same and for' a period thereafter, saidsuction means having an inlet vin the container at the level to which itis desired to fill the container'so that excess liquid as well as gases and vapors may be withdrawn from the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide means of this kind which are capable of use in 1 connection with tanks cr containers divided into a plurality of compartments.

Another object of this invention is to provide a` tank filling apparatus with means such as a Va simple and easily operable apparatus of this the desired extent to prevent kind for lling tank trucks, tank cars and the like, and which serves to prevent overloading of the tanks and theft of liquid.

Another object is to provide the air and vapor withdrawal and overow duct with a valve which may be closed after the tank has been filled to further discharge of'liquid fromthe tank. A

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1 is an elevationfpartly diagrammatiaof an apparatus embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is asectional plan view of a tank or container to be filled, together with piping connections for filling the same.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional elevation of the upper portion of a suction or withdrawal pipe for a -container to be lled.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of actuating means for the valve of the suction pipe shown in Fig. 3.

The construction shown in the accompanying drawing represents one embodiment ofthis invention, and it will be understood that it is not 25 intended to limit the invention to the particular .3 A represents a tank or container` to be filled which may be of any suitable or desired kind,

that shown being provided with a plurality of partitions a to divide the tank into a plurality of compartments. 'I'hese partitions may, how- 35 ever', be omitted, if desired. This tank may be portable, and may, for example, be a part of a tank truck or tank car or may be mounted on any other type of vehicle, and my invention is also applicable to stationary tanks which may be 40 located above or below the ground. B represents va storage tankcontaining liquid to be discharged to the tank A and located above the ground so that liquid may be discharged to'the tank A by gravity and C represents another storage tank located below the ground and from which liquid may also be discharged to the tank A. My

method and apparatus may be used in connection with either or both of the tanks B and C. z

The tank B is provided with a discharge pipe 5l vehicle. and leading to the tank A. As shown in In controlled by a valve Il and connected with a pipe I2` which may, if desired, lead to a liquid Fig. 2, the duct or hose I5 is removably connected with a manifold pipe |I on the vehicle from which a. plurality of branch pipes I8 lead, one of these pipes going to each of the compartments of the tank and these branch pipes are connected and disconnected from the main or manifold pipe II by means of valves I9. In order to provide for the minimum splashing and consequent loss of volatile .liquid due to vaporization and mixture with air contained in the tank, I preferably construct the discharge ends of the branch pipes I8 so that they terminate in the lower portion of the tank or of the compartments of the tank, as near to the bottom thereof as possible.

The other end of the manifold pipe I1 may be provided with the usual discharge pipe 20 controlled by means of a valve 2| through which liquid from any of the compartments of the tank may be discharged in the usual manner, the valves I9 also serving to control the discharge of liquid from the compartments as well as for controlling the admission of liquid thereto. The manifold II, branch pipes |8 and valves I9 are, of course, a part of the tank A and are arranged in fixed relation thereto, the hose I5 being detachably connected thereto only during the filling of the tank A.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that if a tank is to be lled, the flexible hose or conduit I5 is first connected vthereto and one or more of the valves I9 is opened,I the'valve 2| being closed. Upon opening the valve I I, liquid will flow to the tank A.

If my improved method and apparatus is to be used for dispensing liquid from an underground tank, such as the tank C, it may be provided with a discharge vpipe 25 connected to the inlet .of a

pump 26 driven by a motor'21, the discharge of the pump being connected by means of a pipe 28 tothe pipe I2. A valve 29 controls the admission of liquid from the pipe 28 tothe pipe I2.

be very accurately regulated by permitting any excess liquid above such level to be withdrawn from va tank or compartment. If the adjustability of the tube 34 relatively to the tube 32 is not desired, the tube 34 may be omitted and the tube 32 made long enough to extend to the desired level in the tank.

In some cases, it maybe desirable to provide a valve or other suitable means for closing the withdrawal tube. For example, this may be desirable if the tank A is portable, since the movement of the tank may cause the liquid within the compartment to surge and splash and thus flow out through the withdrawal pipe. When a tank is divided into compartments as shown in the drawing and theseveral withdrawal pipes are connected to a common tube or manifold 33, it is desirable to provide -such valves in the withdrawal tubesso that each compartment may be Consequently, when the valve I I is closed or when no overhead tank is employed, by opening the valve 29 and starting the motor 21, liquid will be pumped through the meter to the tank A. In order to remove iiuid, which may be in the form of gasA or air mixed with vapor or excess liquid, from the tank'A, I provide means for withdrawing such fluid from the tank which have within the tank an intake opening which is locatedat the level to which it is desired to-iill the tank or the compartments. Any means may be provided for removing such fluid, and in the particular construction illustrated, I have provided inveach compartment a withdrawal pipeor duct, those shown in the construction illustrated extending upwardly through the bottom of the tank. Each withdrawal duct includes axed or stationary pipe 32 which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom of the tank. In the construction shown, each of these pipes is connected atits lower end to a manifold or con- .necting pipe 33 and is also provided with an upper telescoping and adjustable tube 34, the

upper end of-which may receive Huid-from the compartment in which it is located. The telescoping tubes 34.may be suitably secured in place relatively to the stationary tubes in any suitable or desired manner, for example, by means of aV set screw 35' and the tubes 32 and 34also have a liquid tight connection or packing 36 which prevents the entry of liquid into the tube 32 lexcept through the upper end of the' adjustable lledindependently of the others. sequently, shown in Fig. 3, a valve 40 mounted on a valve stem 4I arranged within the tubes 32 and 34. The upper end of the tube 34 is provided with a suitable valve body 42 in which a seat for the valve 40 is formed. Preferably the valve 'stem or rod 4| extends upwardly out of the open end 43 of the valve body and a spring 44 is arranged between the upper end` of this rod and the valve body 42, so that the spring exerts a suicient pressure on the rod in a directionto move the valve .40" into its closing position. The opening 43 in the valve body is suiciently large to permit gases or liquid to pass through the same and through the valve seat and thus into the withdrawal duct when the valve is open. The horizontal top face 43a of the valve body thus determines the level of the liquid in a compartment. which level, as stated, may be varied by adjustment of the tube 34, in that compartment.

'I'he valve rod or stem 4|. is connected to am suitable means for actuating the same to open or close the valve. In the construction shown by way of example, the lower end of each rod is connected to a crank member 46 which is journalled in a suitable packing gland 41 in the main pipe 33, and which has a cam within the pipe which engages in an eye in the lower end of the valve rod or stem 4| and a spring controlled arm arranged von the exterior of the pipe. By swinging the arm of the crank member. 46, the valve may be positively moved into its seating position and held there. Any suitable means may be pro- 'vided for actuating the crank member 46. For l example, at the rear end of the tank truck or vvehicle a lever 48 may be provided for each compartment, the lever being connected with a ilexible cable 48, the other end of which is secured to when suction is applied to the withdrawal pipe ins loss of liquid, and Whenthe withdrawal pipe is sumcient to prevent any substantial loss ofliquid during transit. The valve actuating mechanism is, however, desirable for'positively-preventis not subjected to suction, but discharges excess liquid by gravity, thev valve la'ctuatin'gmeans are I have, conl so constructed as to hold the valve open during illling of the tank A.

When the valve 40 is used with an adjustable ing the upper portion of the stem 4I and adjustably securing the valve 4t thereon by means of nuts 40a, see Fig. 3; Any other way of providing variation in the position of the valve 40 on its stem 4| may be'employed.

Fluid passing from the tanky A down through the withdrawal pipes may be discharged in any suitable or desired manner to a receiver or a tank 50, that shown being arranged below the ground and having a lvent pipe and an inlet pipe 52 through which the fluid from the tank A is discharged into the receiver 50. The pipe 52 preferably extends almost to the bottom of the receiver 5l and may be connected with the withdrawal pipe 33 in any suitable or desired manner. For example, the pipe 33 may be removably connected with a hose or tube 53 by means of a quickly detachable coupling 54. The other end of the flexible conduit 53 is preferably connected with a tube 55 containing a sight glass so that it can be readily determined when liquid is discharged from the tank A. c

, -In the construction shown, I have also provided a condenser 51 to which the tube 55 connects for the purpose of condensing vapor discharged from the tank A. This condenser may be of any desired form and a suitable cooling liquid may be circulated through the condenser, by means not shown, to effect condensation of vapors encorresponding compartment contains a known tering the condenser through the pipe 55. In the construction shown, the condenser is connected by means of a pipe or conduit 58 with a suction pump 80 driven by means of an electric motor 5I or other suitable power means. The discharge from the suction pump 60 is connected with a pipe or conduit 62, and if desired, this pipe may connect with an air separator 64 of any suitable or well known construction not herein shown in detail, by means of which air or uncondensed gas or vapor is separated from the iluid withdrawn from the tank A and 'discharged from the system, for example, to the atmosphere, the liquid passing from the air separator into the pipe 52 leading to the receiver 50. V l The mechanism for removing iluid from the tank A is preferably operated as follows:l

The operator releases or opens the withdrawal valve of a compartment and preferably keeps .the other withdrawal valves closed. He also opens the inlet valve I9 for the same compartment. Then as liquid is discharged into the tank A, the motor 6I is also started to operate the suction pump 60 which draws fluid from' the pipe 33 through thecondenser past the sight glass 'in the tube 55. This fluid then passes through E the air-separator by means of which air andl gases, as well as unconde'nsed vapors aredischarged `from the system, the liquid'flowirig from the air separator'into the rece'lver`5ll. `By means of the condenser, a large part of the vapor ofV the-volatile liquid is condensed into liquid so that the danger of explosion of air or gas charged' from the air separator is greatly reduced.y If a meter I4 is4 employed, anyj desired quantity of liquid may be vsupplied toany compartment. It sometimes happens that beforev nil. ing,-a compartment may nothave been entirely rdrained, and consequently, even with an accurate meter, excess liquid may be supplied w such com- 7 partment. When this happens, such excess liquid will overflow into the withdrawal pipe 34, and when this is noted in the sight glass, further supply of liquid to the compartment is immediately interrupted by the attendant. The suction pump 60 is continued in operation for a time interval after the supply of liquid to the tank A has been interrupted until the sight glass shows that no more liquid is being. withdrawn from the tank A, so as to ensure the removal of excess liquid from the compartment. When this has been done, the valve 40 for such compartment is again closed and another compartment may be filled in the same manner.

In the event that no meter is used. the :adjustablepipe 34 may be set to a; level at which the quantity of liquid, and in such case, liquid is supplied to a compartment until the sight glass shows that liquid is passing out of the compartment to lthe receiver 50, whereupon further supply of f liquidl to the tank A is interrupted and all excess liquid is withdrawn from this tank.

Most portable tanksare provided in the upper portions thereof with manholes closed by means of covers 101 Heretofore it has been customary to fill such tanks by opening the manholes and discharging the liquid by means of a hose through the manholes, the air and vapor from the interiorv of the tank also discharging outwardly through the manhole. This vapor is not only dangerous because of its highly explosive nature. but is also in many cases injurious to the health of employees inhaling the same. When a tank of this kind isfilled by means ol" my improved apparatus and method, the manhole covers 'l0 are not removed from .the tank during the filling of the same and no explosive gases are discharged into the air in the neighborhood of the tank A. The receiver 50 may be located at a considerable distance from the other parts of the apparatus and from the tank A.

The pump 60 may, of course, be eliminated in some cases in which it is possible to permit liquid discharged from `the tank A to flow by gravity to the receiver 50. The condenser 51 may also be eliminated, if it is found that it is not economical or necessary to use a condenser with the particular liquid which is being handled.

12 represents a suction or outlet pipe, by means of` which liquid may be withdrawn from the receiver 50 by any suitable means (not shown).

By means of my apparatus, danger of' explosion is reduced to a minimum and'overloading of the oi' my improved apparatus, `the overloading of tanks or compartments therein isavolded, since by means of the sight glass, overloading of a truck can be readily detected without climbing up on` the truck-and inspecting the liquid level therein.

My improved construction also adds to the safety of employees 'operating tank trucks or the like; in that ity is 'not necessary for'an 'employee to climb up on a tank for filling the same through a4 manhole, where he is also in 'danger of inhaling gases or vapors discharged through the manhole. My improved apparatus is also of simplified construction in that the inlet pipe for the liquid which terminates in the bottom of the tank to avoid splashing, also serves as a dischargepipe for the liquid.

I claim as'my invention: 1. An apparatus for filling a tank with a volatile liquid, which'includes means for supplying liquid to the tank, 'suctioncreating means `adaptved to be connected with said tank during the filling thereof and including a duct terminating in an inlet arranged at a predetermined level in said tank to determine the quantity to be filled into said tank, whereby air and vapor are withdrawn from the tank through said duct during filling thereof and liquid is withdrawn if the tank is filled above said level.

2. An apparatus for filling a portable tank di-` vided into a plurality of compartments, with a volatile liquid, while the upper portion of the tank is closed, which includes means for withdrawing fluid from each compartment, said means including an inlet located at a predetermined level in 3. A method of filling a tank with a predeter- -mined quantity of a volatile liquid, which includes connectingthe tank with an inlet conduit for the liquid and with a discharge conduit terminating at a predetermined level within the tank, apply- 'fing suction to said discharge conduit and supplying liquid to the tank through said inlet conduit, stopping the supply of liquid to said tank after the level of liquid in said tank rises above said predetermined level, and continuing the applicationof suction to said discharge pipe until the -discharge of liquid therefrom stops.

4. A method of rfilling a substantially closed tank with a volatile liquid, which includes admitting liquid to the lower portion of the tank, withdrawing fluid in gaseous form from the upper portion of said tank ata predetermined level below the top thereof, chilling .the gaseousbfluid withdrawn from said tank to condense vapor of lsaid fluid, withdrawingfrom said tank any liquid above said predetermined level to prevent overases,

and. valve means mounted in fixed relation tosaid portable tank for opening and closing said withdrawal pipe.

7. The combination with a portable'vsxubstantially closed tank, divided into a plurality of compartments, a valve controlled inlet pipe leading to the lower portion of each compartment, a.,

common pipe'connected with each of said first mentioned pipes, a withdrawal pipe for each compartment, each `of. said withdrawal pipes terminating lwithin its compartment at a predetermined distance below the top thereof for discharging air and vapor from said compartments during the filling of the same and for discharging liquid When the liquid level in a compartment is above the Iterminus ofthe withdrawal pipe in such compartment, a passage connecting with each of said withdrawal pipes, and a valve connected with each withdrawal pipe for opening and closing the same, whereby any compartment of said tank may be filled or emptied independently'of other compartments.

I8. The combination with a portable substantially closed tank, a liquid inlet pipe leading to the interior of said tank, a withdrawal pipe extending into said tank and terminating at a predetermined level therein for withdrawing gas and vapor from said tank during the fillingof the same and for withdrawing liquid from said tank if the liquid rises above said level, and means foradjusting said withdrawal pipe to vary the level of the inlet opening thereof, and means for collecting vapor and liquid discharged from said withdrawal pipe.

9. A substantially closed portable tank ,having means for admitting liquid thereto, a withdrawal pipe extending into said tank for withdrawing gaseous fluid therefrom during the filling of' theA tank and for withdrawing liquid in said tank when the same rises above a predetermined level, said withdrawal pipe having its inlet opening locate l r at said level, said withdrawal pipe including a pair of telescopically arranged conduits for varying the length of said pipe to position the inlet opening ,thereof at different levels in said tank, a valve for closing s'aid withdrawal pipe and located in loading of saidtank, and collecting said last mentiored liquid and the condensate.

5. A method of lling a substantially closed tank with a volatile liquid, which includes admitting liquid to the lowerportion of the tank, withdrawing fluid in gaseous form from the upper portion of said tank at a lpredetermined level below the top thereof, chilling the gaseous fluid withdrawn from said tank, condensing vapor contained in said fluid, removing uncondensed ygas from the condensate, withdrawing from the tank any liquid-above said predetermined level to prevent' overloading of said tank. and collecting said the upper portion thereof, a valve stem for actuating saidvalve, and means for varying the position of said valve on said -stem in accordance with adjustments of said telescopic conduits.

10. Apparatus for use in connection with the Y filling of portable tanks with volatile liquids, including stationary means for releasably connecting said tankwith a supply of said liquid for filling the tank, a stationary iiuid withdrawal pipe adapted to be connected with said tank when the same is being filled and disconnected therefrom after said tank was been filled, stationary means associatedy with said uid withdrawal pipe for withdrawing gaseous iiuid from said tank during the filling thereof and for withdrawing excess liquid from said tank if the tank is filled beyond the predetermined level, and means connected with said fluid withdrawal pipe for collecting liquid withdrawn from said tank.

11. Apparatus for use in connection with the filling of portable tanks with'volatile liquids, in cluding stationary means for releasably connecting said tank witha supply of said liquid for filling the tank when the same is being filled and disconnected therefrom after said tank has been filled, a stationary iiuid withdrawal pipe adapted to be connected with anddisconnectedl from said portabletank, statioarymeans associated with' said uid withdrawal pipe' for withdrawing gase- 4 ous fluid from said tank during the filling there'- of and for withdrawing excess liquid from said'` tank if Ithe tank is filled beyond the predetermined level, and stationary means for applying suction to said fluid withdrawal pipe to effect withdrawal of fluid from said tank.

12. Apparatus for use in connection with the filling of portable tanks with volatile liquids, including stationary means for releasably connecting said tank with a supply of said nquis'for nul ing the tank, a stationary fluid withdrawal pipe adapted to be connected with said ltank when the filling of tanks mounted on vehicles with volatile liquids, said apparatus being located in a, relatively iixed position and being adapted to be connected with said tanks during filling of the same and including means for connecting said tank with a supply of said liquid for filling the tank, a fluid withdrawal pipe adapted to be connected with said tank when the same is being filled and disconnected therefrom after said tank has been filled, means associated with said fluid withdrawal pipe for withdrawing gaseous fluid from said tank during the fllling thereof and for withdrawing excess liquid from said tank if the tank is filled beyond-the predetermined level, a condenser in said withdrawal pipe for condensing vapor withdrawn from said tank, and means for collecting the condensate from said condenser and the excess liquid withdrawn from said tank.

14. Apparatus for use in connection with the filling of tanks mounted on vehicles with volatile liquids, said apparatus being located in a relatively fixed position and being adapted to be connected with said tanks during filling of the same and including means for connecting said tank with a supply of said liquid for lling the tank, a

fluid withdrawal pipe adapted to be connected" with said tank when the same is being filled and disconnected therefrom after said tank has been filled, means associated withl said fluid withdrawal pipe for withdrawing gaseous fluid from said tank during the filling thereof and for withdrawing excess liquid from said tank if the tank is filled beyond the predetermined level, an' air separator in said withdrawal pipe for separating gaseous fluid from liquid, and means for collecting liquid withdrawn from said tank.

15. The" combination with a portable substantially closed tank mounted on a-vehicle, a pipe mounted on said vehicle and extending into said tank and terminating in the bottom thereof and through which liquid may be admitted to or discharged from said tank, a valve on said vehicle controlling said pipe, a withdrawal pipe also mounted on said vehicle and extending into said tank and terminating near the upper portion thereof but below the top of the tank and through which fluid .in gaseous form is withdrawn while Vthe tank is being filled and through which excess liquid is withdrawn if the level of the liquid in the tank exceeds that desired, and stationary means adapted to be detachably connected with said withdrawal pipe for-removing iiuid therefrom.

16. An apparatus for filling a tank with a vola- 'v tile liquid from asupply of said liquid while the upper portion of the tank is closed, which includes means for supplying liquid to the tank, and g a combined vapor discharge and excess liquid discharge duct operable simultaneously with said supply means for withdrawing vapor from the tank and having its receiving opening located within said tank at a predetermined level below--Y the top thereof to determine .the quantity of liquid to be filled into said tank and to withdraw liquid in excess of said quantity, whereby vapor and air are withdrawn from said tank during the initial filling thereof andany liquid in excess of the quantity desired in the tank is also withdrawn through said duct, and means for collect-4 ing vapr and liquid discharged from aid duct.

17. An apparatus for filling a po table tank divided into -a plurality of compartments, with a volatile liquid while the upper portion oi' the tank is closed, which includes a combined gas withdrawal and overow duct for each compartment,

each duct having an inlet located at a predetermined level in each compartment below the top thereof to determine the quantity of liquid to be filled into each compartment, and means for supplying liquid to each compartment, said ducts discharging air and vapor from said compartments while the same are being lled and withdrawing excess liquid from 'said compartments when the same are lled above said level.

18. Means for filling a. portable .tank with a volatilel liquid, including a valve controlled duct terminating in the bottom of said tank for both inlet and discharge of liquid, an'd acom'hined gas and vapor discharge and overflow duct terminat- Ving at the upper portion of said tank below the top thereof at a level'to determine the quantity of liquid to be filled into said tank, and means for l'closing said discharge and overflow duct while said'tank is in transit.

' .J B.' HAFFNER. 

